In one sentence: prebiotics are food for the good bacteria that already live on your dog's skin, so those friendly bacteria can thrive, keep the bad ones in check and help your dog's skin stay balanced, comfortable and less smelly.
That's it. That's the clever bit. Here's the slightly longer version.
Your dog's skin is a garden
Every dog's skin is home to millions of tiny bacteria. Most of them are friendly and do a useful job: they help protect the skin and keep less welcome bacteria under control. Together, they're called the skin microbiome.
Think of it as a garden. When the good plants are healthy, there's no room for the weeds. When the garden gets out of balance (after harsh shampoos, too many baths, central heating, muddy walks or seasonal changes), the weeds move in. On a dog, the "weeds" can mean dryness, itchiness and that unmistakable eau de wet dog.
So what does a prebiotic do?
A prebiotic is like a good feed for the garden. It nourishes the friendly bacteria that are already there, helping them recover and grow faster than the unwanted ones, even when the skin's natural balance has been disturbed.
- Prebiotic = food for the good bacteria.
- Probiotic = the good bacteria themselves.
We use prebiotics because they support the bacteria your dog already has, rather than adding new ones.
What that means for your dog
- Odour tackled at source: many doggy smells come from bacteria on the skin and coat. Supporting a balanced microbiome means we're working on the cause, not just covering it with perfume.
- Kinder to sensitive skin: a gentle, hypoallergenic clean that doesn't strip the skin's natural balance.
- A softer, healthier-looking coat: healthy skin underneath shows on the outside.
- Fresher for longer between baths: because the smell isn't just masked, it doesn't come straight back.
Ordinary dog shampoo vs prebiotic dog shampoo
- Ordinary shampoo: cleans the coat, often relies on fragrance to cover smells, and can strip the skin's natural balance along with the dirt.
- Prebiotic shampoo: cleans the coat while feeding the friendly bacteria, so the skin stays balanced and odour is dealt with at source.
What it isn't
Prebiotic grooming is everyday care for healthy skin and coats. It isn't a medicine and it doesn't treat skin conditions. If your dog has sore, broken or very itchy skin, or something just doesn't seem right, please see your vet.
Where you'll find it
Our shampoos, dry shampoos and coat sprays all contain our prebiotic complex:
- Prebiotic dog shampoos, gentle enough for puppies too
- Waterless dry shampoo glow-up kits, for between baths
- The full grooming range (buy any 3, save 30%)
Want the science in more detail? Read the benefits of prebiotic dog shampoo.